Hilary Benn Portrait

Hilary Benn

Labour - Leeds Central

First elected: 10th June 1999

Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

(since September 2023)

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
12th Jun 2023 - 20th Nov 2023
Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union
27th Jan 2020 - 16th Jan 2021
Liaison Committee (Commons)
20th May 2020 - 15th Jan 2021
Committee on Exiting the European Union
12th Jul 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union
12th Jul 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Liaison Committee (Commons)
6th Nov 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Liaison Committee Sub-committee on the effectiveness and influence of the select committee system
13th Feb 2019 - 6th Nov 2019
Committee on Exiting the European Union
19th Oct 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Liaison Committee (Commons)
19th Oct 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union
19th Oct 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Shadow Foreign Secretary
8th May 2015 - 26th Jun 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
7th Oct 2011 - 8th May 2015
Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
26th Jan 2011 - 7th Dec 2011
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
8th Oct 2010 - 7th Oct 2011
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
12th May 2010 - 8th Oct 2010
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
28th Jun 2007 - 6th May 2010
Secretary of State for International Development
6th Oct 2003 - 28th Jun 2007
Minister of State (Department for International Development)
13th May 2003 - 6th Oct 2003
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office) (Minister for Prisons and Probation)
29th May 2002 - 13th May 2003
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for International Development)
11th Jun 2001 - 28th May 2002
Environment, Transport & Regional Affairs
6th Dec 1999 - 1st Jun 2001
Environment Sub-committee
6th Dec 1999 - 1st Jun 2001


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Hilary Benn has voted in 748 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Hilary Benn Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Michael Gove (Conservative)
Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
(50 debate interactions)
Boris Johnson (Conservative)
(30 debate interactions)
Matt Hancock (Independent)
(28 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(76 debate contributions)
Northern Ireland Office
(49 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Hilary Benn's debates

Leeds Central Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

No general statutory duty of care exists in HE. Yet, a duty of care is owed to students, and the Government should legislate for this. HE providers should know what their duty is. Students must know what they can expect. Parents expect their children to be safe at university.

We ask Parliament to repeal the High Speed Rail Bills, 2016 and 2019, as MPs voted on misleading environmental, financial and timetable information provided by the Dept of Transport and HS2 Ltd. It fails to address the conditions of the Paris Accord and costs have risen from £56bn to over £100bn.


Latest EDMs signed by Hilary Benn

13th June 2023
Hilary Benn signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Tuesday 13th June 2023

Fire Safety Remediation in Blocks below 11 metres

Tabled by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds Central)
That this House notes with concern that leaseholders living in blocks below the arbitrary height threshold of 11 metres are facing uncapped costs to fix cladding and other building safety defects, which may lead to repossessions and bankruptcy; believes that these leaseholders are no more to blame for the national …
34 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Oct 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 21
Independent: 3
Plaid Cymru: 3
Conservative: 2
Liberal Democrat: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Green Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
19th April 2023
Hilary Benn signed this EDM on Monday 5th June 2023

Indefinite leave to remain for bereaved partners

Tabled by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
That this House supports the Refugee and Migrants Forum of Essex and London’s call for a fee waiver to be introduced for bereaved partners applying for indefinite leave to remain; notes that the death of a loved one brings multiple emotional, practical and financial costs; believes that people whose leave …
37 signatures
(Most recent: 7 Nov 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 14
Scottish National Party: 12
Liberal Democrat: 4
Plaid Cymru: 3
Independent: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
View All Hilary Benn's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Hilary Benn, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Hilary Benn has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Hilary Benn has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Hilary Benn


A Bill to make further provision in connection with the period for negotiations for withdrawing from the European Union.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 9th September 2019 and was enacted into law.


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
3 Other Department Questions
28th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has received on increasing funding for the performing arts.

The Government has increased funding for the performing arts.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport principally supports the arts through funding for Arts Council England, which makes individual decisions about which organisations and projects to fund at arm’s length from Ministers. At the Spending Review in 2021, the Government provided increased funding for Arts Council England. Arts Council England’s indicative financial settlement for 2022–5 includes an uplift of £43.5 million, or 2 per cent. As a result of this, and money from the National Lottery, Arts Council England will be spending more each year (by around £30 million) through its new Investment Programme (2023–6) than in the previous round (2018–23). It is investing in a record number of organisations, in more parts of the country than ever before.

This is in addition to the direct funding programmes through which the Department invests in arts and culture such as the Cultural Investment Fund and cross-Government funds such as the Towns Fund and the Levelling Up Fund which have benefited arts and cultural organisations across the country, as well as the more than £1.5 billion of support the Government made available to around 5,000 organisations and sites during the pandemic through the Culture Recovery Fund.

At the Budget last month, we extended the higher rates of Theatre Tax Relief, Orchestras Tax Relief, and Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief until 2025 – changes that are estimated to be worth £350 million over five years.

The Department is proud to work with a range of organisations representing the performing arts, and to receive representations about funding and other issues which can help them thrive. Arts and culture make a huge contribution to this country, not only to our economy and international reputation, but also to the wellbeing and enrichment of its people and communities.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
18th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will list the circumstances in which a person may be required to show a Gender Recognition Certificate.

The Government is clear that we want people who are transgender to be able to live their lives as they wish. As announced in September 2020, we believe the current provisions in the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) are effective and allow for those who wish to legally change their sex to do so. The process of applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) should, however, be modern and affordable. The newly developed digital application process for GRCs launched on 29 June last year.

The digital application page on gov.uk sets out the list of uses of a GRC which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/apply-gender-recognition-certificate

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
6th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she plans to take steps to enable opposite-sex couples to convert a civil partnership to marriage.

The Government Equalities Office ran a consultation on the future of conversion rights in England and Wales in 2019.

We continue to analyse the public responses to the consultation, and intend to publish the government’s response and bring forward any necessary legislation as soon as possible.

All updates on the outcome of this consultation, including on the ability for opposite-sex couples to convert their civil partnership to marriage, will be made available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/civil-partnerships-next-steps-and-consultation-on-conversion in due course.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
1st Feb 2023
To ask the Attorney General, what steps she is taking to ensure effective prosecution of fraud and economic crime.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) continue to play a significant role in bringing fraudsters to justice. In 2021/2022, the CPS prosecuted 7,200 defendants, where Fraud and Forgery was the principal offence and the conviction rate was 84.1%.

In 2022-23 the SFO have successfully prosecuted three fraud cases resulting in four criminals being sentenced to a total of 48 years in prison; and also secured the largest ever corporate confiscation order in the UK against Glencore Energy (UK) Ltd, at £93m.

Michael Tomlinson
Minister of State (Minister for Illegal Migration)
4th Jan 2022
To ask the Attorney General, whether the CPS plans to issue guidance on the impact of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2000's provisions on holding a meeting in support of a proscribed organisation on organisations or individuals who hold meetings with members or supporters of Hamas to encourage them to turn away from violence and join peace talks.

The CPS recognises the vital work undertaken by civil society to provide humanitarian relief and to promote peacebuilding efforts overseas and that this can take place within a backdrop of instability and fluid governance arrangements, including heavily sanctioned countries or in countries/regions where proscribed terrorist groups are active.

While there are no plans to issue guidance covering these specific circumstances, the CPS intends to publish general prosecutorial guidance in 2022 on the interaction between counter terrorism legislation and the work of aid agencies operating overseas that provide humanitarian relief or promote peacebuilding efforts. A draft of the guidance has been prepared and the CPS is currently engaging in wider consultation with HMG colleagues prior to publication.

Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
11th Sep 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what arrangements his Department is planning for the handling of groupage for the operation of the proposed red and green lanes covering goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

The Windsor Framework delivers significant benefits for operators who move groupage consignments and mixed loads, including the removal of burdensome paperwork and a reduction in checks.

The green and red lanes under customs arrangements are entirely virtual lanes with separate underlying electronic processes. Green and red lane goods can therefore be moved in the same vehicle without requiring physical segregation, meaning hauliers will not have to alter their logistical arrangements

Mixed loads containing agri-food goods moving through the red and green lane will also be permitted. Whilst the lorry as a whole would not benefit from the full facilitations of the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme, the subsection of goods moving under the scheme will still benefit from the advantages it offers, including removing the need for veterinary signed certificates for individual products. Guidance for traders on how these movements will operate is available on Gov.uk.

It will be a commercial decision for traders and hauliers as to how they move goods. This will be no different in principle to how hauliers make decisions on whether to operate groupage loads at present.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
18th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will list the circumstances in which people are required by law to produce or show their birth certificate.

The requested information is not centrally held by the Cabinet Office.

1st Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the monitoring of regulatory divergence from the EU, how many full-time equivalent staff undertake that work; how external stakeholders input into that work; which Department coordinates and/or shares that work across Government; and if he will publish assessments made of the impact of any regulatory divergence.

This government is making the most of our new found freedom to reform, repeal and replace outdated retained EU law that does not serve the interests of the UK. We are creating a regulatory environment which will promote growth, innovation and prosperity, cutting at least £1 billion of red tape for businesses, while maintaining the high standards the British people rightly expect.

Cabinet Office is leading and coordinating the programme of work being undertaken by Secretaries of State across government, to identify and deliver the regulatory and economic opportunities that Brexit has provided. No staff within the Brexit Opportunities Unit in the Cabinet Office monitor how the EU chooses to diverge from the UK.

The Government monitors significant EU policy developments that are likely to affect UK interests, to ensure compliance with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and support business readiness as necessary. My officials and I undertake regular engagement with the Devolved Administrations on the opportunities arising from leaving the EU, using Common Frameworks and other existing intergovernmental structures.



1st Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how his Department (a) reviews EU developments and new regulations, (b) assesses the potential effect of UK divergence from those regulations on (i) UK industry, (ii) trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, (iii) devolved administrations, (iv) level playing field provisions in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and EU adequacy and equivalence decisions and (v) levels of protection for the environment, labour and human health and (c) makes assessments as to which regulations the UK should align with and where there may be potential opportunities from divergence.

This government is making the most of our new found freedom to reform, repeal and replace outdated retained EU law that does not serve the interests of the UK. We are creating a regulatory environment which will promote growth, innovation and prosperity, cutting at least £1 billion of red tape for businesses, while maintaining the high standards the British people rightly expect.

Cabinet Office is leading and coordinating the programme of work being undertaken by Secretaries of State across government, to identify and deliver the regulatory and economic opportunities that Brexit has provided. No staff within the Brexit Opportunities Unit in the Cabinet Office monitor how the EU chooses to diverge from the UK.

The Government monitors significant EU policy developments that are likely to affect UK interests, to ensure compliance with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and support business readiness as necessary. My officials and I undertake regular engagement with the Devolved Administrations on the opportunities arising from leaving the EU, using Common Frameworks and other existing intergovernmental structures.



1st Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how the Government manages UK regulatory divergence from the EU.

This government is making the most of our new found freedom to reform, repeal and replace outdated retained EU law that does not serve the interests of the UK. We are creating a regulatory environment which will promote growth, innovation and prosperity, cutting at least £1 billion of red tape for businesses, while maintaining the high standards the British people rightly expect.

Cabinet Office is leading and coordinating the programme of work being undertaken by Secretaries of State across government, to identify and deliver the regulatory and economic opportunities that Brexit has provided. No staff within the Brexit Opportunities Unit in the Cabinet Office monitor how the EU chooses to diverge from the UK.

The Government monitors significant EU policy developments that are likely to affect UK interests, to ensure compliance with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and support business readiness as necessary. My officials and I undertake regular engagement with the Devolved Administrations on the opportunities arising from leaving the EU, using Common Frameworks and other existing intergovernmental structures.



12th Apr 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the names of the companies contracted to work on the new press briefing room at 10 Downing Street.

The Government has established facilities within 9 Downing Street, rather than 10 Downing Street, which are being used for daily broadcasting by a number of news organisations, therefore I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 169917 on 22 March 2021.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
5th Mar 2021
To ask the Prime Minister, when he plans to reply to the letter from the Rt. hon. Member for Leeds Central of 15 January 2021 on his appearance before the Liaison Committee.

I sent a letter to the Chair of the Liaison Committee relating to my appearance before the Committee on 13 January 2021, including follow-up letters from members, on 1 February 2021. A copy is available on the Committee’s website.

19th Feb 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Minister will answer in the House on matters relating to the operation of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the EU-UK Partnership Council.

Further to the answer given to PQ138410 on 20 January, there have been no meetings of the Trade Partnership Council to date. It has however agreed by committee procedure, the extension of the provisional application of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.


From 1 March Lord Frost, as Cabinet Office minister, is the UK co-chair of the Partnership Council as of 1 March 2021, and is accountable for its overall operation. Departments will lead on the Trade and Cooperation Specialised Committees in their areas.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
2nd Feb 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, who will represent the UK as Co-Chair on the UK-EU Partnership Council.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ138410 on 20 January 2021.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
8th Jul 2020
To ask the Prime Minister, with reference to his comments made on a visit to East Yorkshire on 6 July 2020, what procedures were being referred to in relation to care homes not following procedures during the covid-19 outbreak.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer I gave to the Leader of the Opposition on 8 July, Official Report, Cols 963 and 964.

16th Jun 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to Answer of 5 May 2020 to Question HL3246, what progress he has made in negotiations with the EU on future mobility arrangements.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 48438 on 2 June 2020.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
16th Jun 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the UK is seeking to negotiate with the EU reciprocal visa free travel for the purposes of tourism after the transition period.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 48438 on 2 June 2020.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
3rd Jun 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his timeframe is for reviewing the restrictions imposed as a result of the covid-19 outbreak on weddings taking place; and if he will make make a statement.

Our Plan To Rebuild, the Government's COVID-19 Recovery Strategy, is published on gov.uk and includes details on plans for weddings. We understand the frustration couples planning a wedding must be feeling at this time. We are keeping these restrictions under review and will ease them as soon as it is safe to do so. We will continue to work closely with faith leaders and local government over the coming weeks to go through the practicalities of doing so.

Marriages and civil partnerships under the special procedure for those who are seriously ill and not expected to recover, are taking place in some cases where it is safe to do so in line with PHE guidance.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
12th Feb 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to encourage civil society dialogue as set out in paragraph 125 of the Political Declaration agreed with the EU.

We want a relationship with the EU which is based on friendly cooperation between sovereign equals, and centred on free trade. We will have a relationship with our European friends inspired by our shared history and values.

The Political Declaration sets out the potential scope of the future relationship. This is now a matter for negotiations.

3rd Feb 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Minister has lead responsibility for negotiations on the UK's future relationship with the EU.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given by the Leader of the House of Commons to PQs 11512, 11514, 11515 on 6 February 2020.

Oliver Dowden
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
6th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much the Government will receive as a result of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme interest rate being higher than the Bank of England base rate.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is a delegated scheme; as such, interest rates will depend on the specific loan agreements between a borrower and their lender.

The scheme provides the lender with a government-backed, partial guarantee (80%) against the outstanding balance. The Government does not benefit from interest repayments on loans through the CBILS scheme.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what reasons the rate of interest on the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme has increased to eight per cent.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is a delegated scheme; as such, interest rates will depend on the specific loan agreements between a borrower and their lender.

The scheme provides the lender with a government-backed, partial guarantee (80%) against the outstanding balance. The Government does not benefit from interest repayments on loans through the CBILS scheme.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many and what proportion of charities that took out loans through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme have outstanding monies to pay.

The Department for Business and Trade has not made an estimate of the number of charities that took out loans through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and so does not have an estimate on the proportion of charities which have an outstanding balance on their loan.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many businesses have gone into liquidation following the non-payment of a loan through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

The Department for Business and Trade has not made an estimate of the number of businesses that took out loans through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) that have since ceased trading. This will be considered as part of the scheme's ongoing evaluation, which will consider the impact of CBILS on business survival.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
22nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of mechanisms to enable companies to remove (a) potentially defamatory reviews and (b) threatening comments from online review sites.

The government introduced in Parliament the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Bill on 25 April which includes a delegated power to amend a list of automatically unfair practices set out in the Bill.

Government plans to address fake and misleading reviews by adding these practices to that list of banned practices, following consultation this year. This will give greater clarity to business and consumers and, where fake reviews or misleading reviews are posted, allow enforcers to take effective action quickly.

The threatening communications offence in the Online Safety Bill, will capture communications which convey a serious threat of harm to a likely audience.

This includes communications such as a threat to life, rape, or serious injury; or causing serious financial harm.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
12th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Written Statement of 10 May 2023 on Regulatory Reform Update, HCWS764, what changes to EU-derived reporting requirements could save businesses £1 billion a year.

The Government published an impact assessment on reducing the administrative burden of record keeping requirements under the Working Time Regulations which can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/retained-eu-employment-law-reforms

The 10 May announcement is a down payment on the Government’s plans to reduce regulatory burdens for business, helping to unlock economic growth. It will be followed by further announcements setting out our ambitions for reform across the UK economy.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
1st Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent estimate she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential cost of upgrading all homes in England to at least energy performance certificate rating C.

The Government set out an aspiration in the Clean Growth Strategy for as many homes as possible to reach an Energy Performance Rating Band C by 2035 where cost-effective, affordable and practical. Achieving this will require mobilising up to £65 billion of capital investment.

The Government is investing £6.6 billion over this Parliament on clean heat and improving energy efficiency in buildings. In addition, £6 billion of new Government funding will be made available from 2025 to 2028.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to prevent energy companies from building up large amounts of credit in customer accounts as a result of direct debits.

According to Ofgem guidance, suppliers should review credit balances every six months to avoid an excessive build-up of credit. Ofgem have conducted a series of Market Compliance Reviews, including on direct debit processes and performance, and has identified areas where suppliers need to improve.

Customers can ask their supplier to refund a credit balance at any time. Suppliers must do so promptly unless they have reasonable grounds not to.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
6th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reason it is his Department's policy that intellectual property practitioners who represent businesses before the Intellectual Property Office are not required to be regulated in the UK.

The Government supports appropriate regulation of intellectual property practitioners where this is necessary to ensure that applicants and rights holders are effectively represented.

We have not seen a need to change the current regulatory framework. The Government continues to welcome evidence from practitioners and consumers if they consider there to be deficiencies in the current system.

20th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to provide support to students in higher education who are living away from home for their energy bills.

In private rented accommodation, landlords are required to reflect in the price they charge for energy, the actual costs and any Government support they receive through the Energy Bills Support Scheme and Energy Price Guarantee. This includes, where landlords charge based on usage, making a reasonable estimate of the appropriate unit rate to charge.

Where students live in commercially provided accommodation supplied by a non-domestic contract such as a hall of residence, they may benefit from the Energy Bill Relief Scheme depending on when the commercial provider signed their energy contract. If so, the commercial provider is required to pass on the savings to their student tenants.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
20th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his planned timetable is for the online application portal to be available for people without a direct relationship with their energy supplier to apply for a £400 payment through the Energy Bill Support Scheme.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding will provide support of £400 for energy bills for around 900,000 households without a domestic electricity supply. Those that are eligible will need to submit a short online form via the Government’s GOV.UK pages, with the application portal due to open in January.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of the total (a) potential amount of renewable electricity that could be generated by wind turbines in the UK and (b) actual amount of renewable electricity generated by wind turbines in the UK that was used by the National Grid in 2021.

BEIS records this information in Chapter 6 of the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) publication: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/renewable-sources-of-energy-chapter-6-digest-of-united-kingdom-energy-statistics-dukes.

Table 6.2 shows that installed UK wind capacity was 25.8GW for 2021, generating 64.7TWh of electricity. The theoretical total generating capacity of these turbines is 226TWh of electricity, though this would imply they were generating 100% of the time. Actual output is heavily influenced by weather conditions. Table 6.3 shows that wind operated at 29% of potential maximum in 2021. Typically, we would expect this percentage to increase over time with newer, more efficient deployment

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
25th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take into account the additional energy costs faced by people with Huntington’s Disease in his review of the energy support scheme in April 2023.

The Government is supporting the most vulnerable UK households with £1,200 of support provided in instalments over this year.

The Treasury-led review of the energy support schemes will consider how to support households with energy bills after April 2023. The objective of the review is to design a new approach that ensures enough support for those in need, that will also cost the taxpayer significantly less than planned.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Energy Price Guarantee will support housing associations that have fixed business electricity contracts for multi-occupancy buildings where the costs are billed to tenants alongside their rent.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme will provide a price reduction to ensure all eligible businesses and other non-domestic energy users are protected from excessively high energy bills over the winter period. Housing associations on eligible non-domestic tariffs will be covered by the scheme and will need to make sure the benefits of the scheme are passed onto tenants in a reasonable and proportionate way.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the amount of additional electricity demand that will result from (a) heat pumps in residential homes and (b) domestic electric vehicle charging.

The Net Zero Strategy sets out how electricity demand is likely to increase by 40-60% by 2035, including increased demand from electric vehicles and heat pumps.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that apartment blocks can receive signals for smart meters so as to allow for the charging of electric vehicles.

Energy suppliers are working on solutions to extend the range of the smart meter Home Area Network, and are already rolling out a “dual band” communications hub which can operate on two different frequencies and therefore serve many previously hard to reach flats and tower blocks.

The Government is working with industry to ensure a technical solution is developed for the small minority of properties that cannot be served by the new “dual band” communications hub.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the impact of the location of electric meters in block of flats on the ability of residents to connect to smart meters and charge electric vehicles.

Energy suppliers are working together on solutions to extend the range of the smart meter Home Area Network. Energy suppliers are now rolling out a new type of communications hub which can operate on different frequencies and therefore serve many previously hard to reach flats and tower blocks.


Legislation came into force on the 15th June 2022 which requires all new homes and buildings in England, including blocks of flats, and those undergoing major renovation, with associated parking to install a charge point. These requirements provide best value for money by avoiding more costly retrofitting in the future.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to require retailers to sell one pair of different size shoes to people who have two different sized feet as a result of a disability or toe amputation.

This is a matter for individual retailers. However, the Government would encourage retailers to make reasonable adjustments to their store polices to cater for all consumers.

24th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what data his Department holds on the number of disconnections of customers in England for non-payment of (a) gas and (b) electricity bills in each of the last five years.

Ofgem, as the independent regulator of the gas and electricity markets, publishes details on the number of customer disconnections on their website:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-data-and-research/data-portal/all-available-charts?keyword=disconnection%20for%20non-payment&sort=relevance.

This information is available up to Q2 2021 and dates back to Q1 2006. Ofgem regulates the market in Great Britain, so this data is for customers in Great Britain.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
26th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what data his Department holds on the number of disconnections of customers in England for non-payment of (a) gas and (b) electricity bills in each of the last five years.

It has not proved possible to respond to the rt. hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reason the energy price cap does not apply to commercial meters for communal areas in the blocks of flats.

The energy price cap was introduced following a two-year investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which identified that domestic consumers on default tariffs were paying a loyalty penalty.

The CMA found no evidence of a loyalty penalty for consumers supplied via their landlord rather than being supplied directly to a meter in their home. Landlords purchase energy via a negotiated commercial supply contract. Ofgem has a rule in place limiting the maximum resale price at which landlords can resell gas or electricity to their tenants.

The Government is committed to legislating within this parliament to regulate the heat networks sector. In December the Government announced that Ofgem will take on the role of regulator and have new powers to regulate prices in this sector.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to protect leaseholders living in flats with communal heating systems from energy bill increases.

Renters and leaseholders are facing financial pressures this winter, which is why the Government is taking action worth more than £9.1billion in supporting households through initiatives such as the Energy Bills Rebate, the Household Support Fund, Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments. Depending on their financial situation and income, people may qualify for one or more of these schemes and should get in touch with their local authorities who will best advise them on their eligibility.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
7th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many company directors have been struck off for (a) wrongful trading, (b) fraudulent trading and (c) unfit conduct in (i) England and (ii) Yorkshire in each of the last five years.

Companies House publishes information annually on the number of disqualification orders notified to the Secretary of State in the United Kingdom under the Insolvency Act 2000 and the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986. The information includes disqualifications for wrongful trading, fraud in a winding up and unfit conduct. This information covers the UK as a whole and Companies House is unable to provide separate figures for England and Yorkshire.

The latest published information can be found at the following url https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/companies-house-management-information-tables-2020-to-2021

7th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the extent of the practice whereby companies commission work from sub-contractors and then liquidate that company in order to avoid paying for the work only for the directors to establish a new business under a different name; and if he will make a statement.

Office holders appointed to administer a liquidation are required to investigate the conduct of directors and report about that conduct to the Insolvency Service within three months of the liquidation. This may lead to investigation and proceedings to disqualify or, in serious cases, prosecute directors for misconduct. Depending upon the evidence obtained, such misconduct can include where a director caused a company to incur a debt which they had no intention of the company repaying.

15th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many Licence Lite applications have been made in each year since 2009; and how many were awarded by Ofgem in each of those years.

Ofgem have provided the following information on the number of Licence Lite applications received each year since 2009, and how many were granted a licence.

Year

Number of Licence Lite Applications

Number of Licence Lite granted

2009 - 2015

0

0

2016

1

0

2017

2

3

2018

1

0

From 2019 to present, Ofgem have not received any applications for a Licence Lite.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
12th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the additional renewable electricity generating capacity required to support the estimated number of electric vehicles in (a) 2025, (b) 2030 and (c) 2035.

The Government works closely with National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) to ensure there is adequate capacity available to meet peak demand in a range of scenarios, now and in the future. Each year NGESO evaluate how much capacity will be necessary to meet demand in the years ahead and utilise this assessment to determine targets for the annual Capacity Market auctions. Auctions held to date have secured the majority of Great Britain’s capacity needs out to 2024/25.

The Government will take action so that, by 2035, all electricity will come from low carbon sources, subject to security of supply. This includes the Government’s commitment to deliver 40GW of offshore wind by 2030, alongside the expansion of other low-cost renewable technologies.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
12th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the impact of fireworks and bonfires on the level of CO2 emissions in England around 5 November.

BEIS currently does not estimate the level of CO2 emissions produced by bonfires and fireworks.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)